Nigeria Set For 2026 Global EITI Validation  — NEITI

 

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has reaffirmed the country’s readiness for the forthcoming global EITI Validation exercise, scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026.

NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Hon. Musa Adar, assured civil society of Nigeria’s full preparedness for the upcoming global EITI Validation during a consultative forum in Abuja, according to a statement by NEITI’s Director, Comms & Stakeholders Management, according to a Monday statement by NEITI’s Director, Comms & Stakeholders Management, Obiageli Onuorah.

He explained that the National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG) has systematically addressed corrective actions from the last validation report, including stakeholder engagement, contract disclosure, resource-backed loans, subnational transfers, and state-owned enterprise transparency.

“Nigeria has taken deliberate steps to close gaps identified in the last validation. We are stronger, more coordinated, and ready to demonstrate our progress to the global EITI community,” Hon. Adar stated.

NEITI has also facilitated discussions on the new validation model, templates, and corrective actions with the three major constituencies- civil society, government, and companies.

“Validation is not just compliance. It is proof of Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance in managing our extractive resources,” the Executive Secretary emphasized.

Hon. Adar further noted that NEITI is working closely with government agencies, extractive companies, civil society organizations, and development partners to ensure all documentation and disclosures required under the 2023 EITI Standard are complete and accessible.

“Together with our partners, we will ensure that every disclosure is ready, every corrective action addressed, and every constituency fully engaged. Nigeria is prepared to lead by example,” he concluded.

The Executive Secretary stressed that validation is not just compliance, but an “opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s sustained commitment to reforms and continuous improvement in extractive sector governance”.

The transparency boss urged stakeholders, especially civil society and the media, to track and monitor audit recommendations and institutional disclosures, engage with validation templates, and provide inputs.

He urged them to Own Nigeria’s validation process and documentation and project the strengths and progress that the country has made in implementing the EITI.

Dr. Erisa Danladi, Chair of the Communications and Civil Society Steering Committee and civil society representative on the NEITI Board, explained that the meeting was convened to validate sector inputs into the EITI stakeholders’ template.

Dr. Obiageli Onuorah, Director of Communications and Stakeholders Management, affirmed Nigeria’s strong standing, citing recent steps to address corrective actions. She highlighted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Human Rights Commission to protect civic space, describing it as “an innovative and trail-blazing move celebrated by the EITI.”

 

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Faith Nwadishi of the Center for Transparency urged civil society to view the templates not just as validation tools but as instruments for implementation and accountability. “These documents must be used to hold covered entities to account,” she stressed.

Board representative, Steven Akpan (South-South), and other non-state actors, including Barr. Chima Williams, Emeka Ononamadu, and Mustapha Mohammed, Chair of the Resource Justice Network, all voiced strong support for NEITI and Nigeria’s validation process.

Validation, they emphasised, is an independent assessment of progress by implementing countries. “Nigeria welcomes this process as a vital mechanism to strengthen public trust, enhance revenue accountability, and ensure our natural resources contribute meaningfully to sustainable development,” the stakeholders concluded.

 

 

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